Trump-Kim connect: US, North Korea sign historic pact

SINGAPORE: In a historic meeting that seeks to leave a troubled past behind, US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un have signed a joint document that outlines a comprehensive plan about “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

With the world carefully scanning their every move and body language, the two leaders smiled and shook hands warmly as they signed what Mr. Trump described as “a pretty comprehensive document”.

The two leaders spent hours at a closed- door session in Sentosa Island in Singapore, which focused on promoting peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula.

“Today we had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind,” Mr Kim said through a translator. “The world will see a major change.”

In a sign of developing chemistry between the two leaders, Mr Trump lauded the 34- year-old leader as a very “talented man” and referred to him as “Chairman Kim.”

“I learned that he’s a very talented man. I also learned that he loves his country very much,” said Mr Trump.

This was clearly a sharp turnaround from the bitterness and rancour that was on display only a few months ago when Mr Trump mocked the North Korean leader as “Little Rocket Man”.

While addressing to press, Mr Trump said that he will “absolutely” invite Kim to the White House. Mr. Trump added that the summit went “better than anybody could have expected.”

US President Trump said he thinks the two of them will have a “terrific relationship.” Mr Kim, through a translator, said North Korea had to overcome a number of “obstacles” to get to this moment.